Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Keeping an eye on prices
This is with reference to the editorial (Keeping an eye on prices). The writer illustrates about the economic crisis in the country which has a great impact on prices of the commodities in the country. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has put a rise of 2.76 and Rs 3.12 per litre in prices of petrol and diesel from 1st January 2021.
The writer is obviously true saying that the immediate price of petrol resources is too high which people may not afford. Secondly, the Brent crude is collapsing in the international market due to second wave of Covid-19 which has weakened the economy. And further it is mentioned that the countries like USA are busy developing stimulus packages to promote/secure businesses.
In fact, Pakistan’s economy is already in devastating crisis. The first wave of Coronavirus outrageously hit Pakistan and fuel and other prices have halted growth and it has become difficult for the poor souls to survive. Lastly, I would say that the spike in prices is the biggest challenge to the leadership of PM Imran Khan and I would like to recommend to the Prime Minister to please take remedial measures to take the bull by the horn.
BARKATULLAH
Turbat
Littering in Pakistan
Littering is a major issue that is prevalent in our society today. It has become a common sight on roads that people toss the litter right out of the vehicles they are travelling in, especially public transport. While people have started getting more and more conscious about this rising issue, unfortunately not many people seem to be taking this a serious problem: abuse of the usage of plastic, burning waste, all contribute to harm our environment.
This garbage belongs to the trash bin and not conveniently thrown out of the vehicles, pedestrians as well as families who visit public places and leave their food garbage there. It is advisable for the society as a whole to take adequate responsibility to build a better, cleaner and healthier environment.
FOZIA BATOOL
Islamabad
Health system at risk
Zimbabwe horror it is heartbreaking patient in Zimbabwe are sleeping rough on the floor in major hospitals. Zimbabwe’s health system is at risk of being overwhelmed as a renewed surge in coronavirus infections has caused a shortage of beds and equipment at hospitals. The hospitals and healthcare system in Zimbabwe are highly under-resourced, yet the nurses are currently on strike and there is acute shortage of doctors because of small wages. It is disheartening to hear that health officials confirmed 34 deaths, 1, 365 infections bringing figures to 418 fatalities, 17,194 infections per day.
A small increase in cases puts pressure, citing that private hospitals are also overwhelmed with limited capacity, with those facilities requiring bookings and upfront payments of $2,500 to $5,000 which the poor and weak cannot manage to afford. When hospitals are overwhelmed and overflowing, ZANU-PF government has no longer able to provide the traditional standards of care in Zimbabwe.
Heartless and corrupt President Emerson Mnangagwa has failed to ensure that patients continue to receive appropriate medical services by better distributing available resources across the country to prevent overwhelming specific hospitals, counties and regions. President Mnangagwa should be challenged by international leaders to improve management of hospitals.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
London
Electricity breakdown
Cities across Pakistan were left in the dark as a major electricity breakdown occurred on the night of 10th January. The whole of Pakistan plunged into darkness around 11:50pm caused by the national grid to trip, shutting down electricity supply to over 80% of the country. The cities facing disruption included Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Quetta, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and many more.
According to media reports, 29 districts of Balochistan were without power. Furthermore, mobile and internet services had also been affected due to breakdown. Jhelum, Tarbela and Mangla power plants were shut. Even the Jinnah International Airport remained without power.
This is not an uncommon issue in Pakistan. It happens time and again. The upper class people have different modes of producing power but most of the people, the middle class and the poor, are in hot waters in such situations. The concerned authorities should be ready for such breakdowns so that they can be recovered as soon as possible.
GULSAMEEN RAHMAT
Turbat
FWO and KCR
FWO issued contract for the construction of underpasses, bridges for KCR, SC said’ (Dec 12), which challenged the performance of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) by citing the delay in completing the dualization of the railway track from Lodhran to Khanewal. For a long time, I have been working with Pakistan Railways as a civil engineer. I can argue with honesty that not only within the specified time frame, FWO completed all railway projects, but also met all building standards against all odds as expected by the customer.
I can remember many railway projects, including the construction of a bridge on the Kotri-Landhi section (Ranpethani on main line one because of the stopping of main traffic to Karachi; the bridge was completed in two weeks), the construction of a damaged bridge on the Wazirabad-Shorkot section, the Yousafwala bridge over the Lower Bari Doab Canal, track embankments and structures for the Qadirabad power plant and several other track duplication projects on the basis of design, service and transition.
It is important to realize that Pakistan Railways had inadvertent delays as the building of the track or bridge was to be achieved without stopping the railway traffic. At a time when Pakistan Railways is going to build historical tracks, before making any comment, all aspects should be taken into account. The truth is that to fulfil its demands, the nation needs organisations like FWO more than ever before.
MUHAMMAD USMAN
Islamabad
Water matters
Water is the most important component in determining the quality of life. In Pakistan, poor water quality is one of the major issues. Pakistan ranks at number 80 among 122 nations with regard to the drinking water quality.
Water pollution is a process that occurs in various water resources such as lacks, rivers, ponds and ground water due to anthropogenic activities. Due to alarming increase in population, rapid industrialization, urbanization and agricultural sector chemicals, the quality of drinking water is being deteriorates day by day. The release of micro-organisms and toxic chemicals from domestic and industrial waste deteriorates the quality of water.
Water pollution threatens public health. Improper and poor quality of water supply for drinking purposes has a negative impact on human health. Diseases spread by unsafe water include cholera, typhoid, giardia and pneumonia. Water pollution is also a leading cause of death.
Drinking water must be free from chemicals, odour and microbes. Government should pay attention to this serious issue. Water pollution should be reduced by regular monitoring quality of water. Identify industrial units that are the polluters of water resources and strictly force these industries to reduce and treat their wastewater before disposal. Construction of proper sanitary landfill sites controls the water pollution.
SEEMAB AKHTAR
Islamabad
